Scalpel is a system app management module for rooted Android devices that safely removes bloatware and promotes user applications to system privileges. It operates systemlessly, utilizing kernel-level VFS interception or overlayfs whiteouts to hide packages without permanently altering partitions.

Technical Details

Scalpel evaluates the device environment at every boot to select the safest removal strategy, defaulting to VFS redirection on custom kernels to completely hide packages from the filesystem. If VFS hooks are absent, it falls back to overlayfs whiteouts or standard package manager operations. This multi-mode engine handles system directories and permissions while relying on a three-strike guard that automatically restores default configurations upon boot failure.

Core Features of Scalpel

Multi-Mode Engine: Automatically selects VFS interception, overlayfs whiteouts, or package manager operations based on kernel support.
App Systemization: Promotes standard user applications to /system/app or /system/priv-app while retaining original data until verified.
Bootloop Guard: Tracks startup failures and disables itself after three strikes to ensure safe device recovery.
Integrated WebUI: Provides a complete management dashboard directly within the root manager interface for app selection and categorization.

Support & Requirements

Requires Android 9 or newer and an unlocked bootloader running Magisk, KernelSU, or APatch.

How to Install Scalpel

Download the latest Scalpel .zip release file.
Open your preferred root manager and access the Modules menu.
Flash the .zip file and select your default debloat preference using the volume keys when prompted.
Reboot the device to initialize the module and access the WebUI.